SECURITY COUNCIL
\n8813TH MEETING (AM)
\nSC\/13213
\n20 FEBRUARY 2018<\/p>\n
fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n video<\/a><\/p>\n Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, briefing the Security Council this morning, outlined a new proposal to relaunch peace talks with Israel \u2014 including the rapid convening of an international summit on the matter, and the subsequent creation of a multilateral mechanism to guide the process \u2014 while also demanding that the United States reverse its decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem.<\/p>\n \u201cWe come here before your august Council in the midst of deadlock on the peace process due to the United States decision regarding Jerusalem, Israel\u2019s ongoing illegal settlement activities, its violation of the resolutions of the Council and its disrespect of signed agreements,\u201d said Mr. Abbas, describing decades of Palestinian commitment to peaceful negotiations.\u00a0 Israel\u2019s intransigence had led to the failure of each of those efforts, he said, adding that the country had transformed its once-temporary occupation into a permanent situation of colonization and apartheid.<\/p>\n Against that backdrop, he proposed a new plan \u2014 underpinned by several concrete requirements \u2014 to address the problems that had consistently undermined efforts towards peace.\u00a0 First, he called for the convening of an international peace conference by mid-2018 with broad international participation, whose outcomes must include the State of Palestine\u2019s recognition as a full member of the Â鶹APP and a guarantee of international protection for its people; mutual recognition between the States of Palestine and Israel based on 1967 borders; and the formation of an international mechanism to assist in negotiations to resolve the permanent status issues as defined in the 1993 Oslo Accord.<\/p>\n A second element of the plan, he said, would require all parties to refrain from unilateral actions during the negotiation period. \u00a0First and foremost must be the cessation of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the suspension of the United States decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem.\u00a0 Third, the Arab Peace Initiative \u2014 as adopted and endorsed \u2014 must be implemented, resulting, among other things, in the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and an open city for the faithful of the three monotheistic religions.<\/p>\n Noting that United States President Donald Trump had yet to clarify whether he was for or against a two-State solution \u2014 despite having held four meetings with the Palestinian leadership in 2017 \u2014 he described the decision to take the issue of Jerusalem \u201coff the table\u201d by recognizing the city as Israel\u2019s capital and transferring its embassy there as both unprecedented and dangerous.<\/p>\n Ant\u00f3nio Guterres, Secretary-General of the Â鶹APP, said in opening remarks that \u201cthere is no Plan B\u201d in lieu of a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\u00a0 The global consensus for a two-State solution could be eroding and obstacles on the ground could potentially create an irreversible one-State reality.\u00a0 It was impossible to square the circle of a one-State reality with the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians, he stressed, appealing to the international community to step up its support for the region\u2019s stability and the security, rights and dignity of the 5\u00a0million Palestinian refugees.<\/p>\n Nickolay Mladenov, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, echoed concerns that \u201cthe enemies of peace are growing more confident by the day\u201d.\u00a0 The international community must reaffirm that sustainable peace required a two-State solution that could only be achieved through a negotiated solution, he said, also calling for an end to Israeli settlement expansion and for policy shifts that were consistent with a transition to greater Palestinian civil authority.<\/p>\n For its part, he said, the Palestinian Authority must continue to advance institution-building and service delivery to its people and bring the Gaza Strip \u2014 led by Hamas for the last decade \u2014 back under its control.\u00a0 Maintaining support for Palestine refugees was fundamental, he added, reiterating concern over the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u2019s (UNRWA) sizeable funding shortfall and encouraging Member States to urgently consider providing the Agency with new funding to support the estimated 1.5\u00a0million highly vulnerable people in need.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s representative, voicing regret that Mr. Abbas had quickly exited the Chamber without engaging in dialogue, said direct negotiations were the only path to peace.\u00a0 Mr. Abbas was inspiring \u201ca culture of hate within Palestinian society\u201d and had spent, in 2017, $345 million for terrorists to kill innocent Israelis \u2014 money that could have been spent to build schools and hospitals.<\/p>\n Emphasizing that Mr. Abbas did not actually want to negotiate peace with Israel, he said that while the current United States Administration was working hard to make progress, the Palestinians were using the decision to move its embassy as yet another excuse to reject negotiations.\u00a0 Israel would always insist on its sovereignty over a united Jerusalem.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all these years of Abbas\u2019s rejectionism, one thing is very clear: \u00a0when we extend a hand, Abbas extends a fist,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Only when the terrorists of Hamas extended a hand did Mr. Abbas embrace them with open arms.<\/p>\n The representative of the United States, also expressing regret that Mr. Abbas had left the Chamber before the discussion, described as \u201cflawed\u201d Council resolution 2334<\/a>\u00a0(2016), which had reaffirmed Israel\u2019s settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as illegal and invalid.\u00a0 Indeed, Israel would not be pushed into a deal by damaging its own interests.\u00a0 The United States recognized the suffering of the Palestinian people and offered an \u201coutstretched hand\u201d to its leadership, she said, calling for peace.\u00a0 Regarding her country\u2019s decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, she declared that \u201cyou don\u2019t have to like it, but that position won\u2019t change\u201d and emphasized that the choice at hand was between hate and resuming negotiations to improve Palestinian lives.<\/p>\n Bolivia\u2019s representative, noting that Israel\u2019s expansionist policies violated international law and continued to suffocate Palestinians \u201cday in and day out\u201d, said the situation had grown more alarming against the backdrop of significant reductions to UNRWA\u2019s resources.\u00a0 Decrying those cuts as a \u201cblatant move to politicize the safety and security of millions of Palestinian refugees\u201d, he drew attention to the critical situations of several individual Palestinian civilians \u2014 including that of the 17-year-old girl Ahed Tamimi \u2014 noting that Israel was the only country of the world that tried children in military courts.<\/p>\n France\u2019s representative was among other speakers voicing support for renewed negotiations based on internationally agreed parameters, including respect for pre-1967 borders and putting an end to Israeli settlement construction.\u00a0 Emphasizing that the status of Jerusalem could only be determined by both parties, he welcomed Mr. Abbas\u2019 proposal, stressing that the only option was a two-State solution.\u00a0 Providing a political horizon that would restore hope to Israelis and Palestinians, and the revival of the possibility of resuming negotiations, was critical.<\/p>\n Also speaking were the representatives of the Russian Federation, Sweden, Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Equatorial Guinea, Poland, China, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Peru, Netherlands, Ethiopia and Kuwait.<\/p>\n The meeting began at 10:11 a.m. and ended at 1:05 p.m.<\/p>\n Opening Remarks<\/u><\/p>\n ANT\u00d3NIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the Â鶹APP, said that after his recent visit to the Middle East, positive developments in Iraq represented an exception in the region where there was a need for a political solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.\u00a0 \u201cThere is no Plan B,\u201d he said, underlining that the global consensus for a two-State solution could be eroding and obstacles on the ground potentially creating an irreversible one-State reality.\u00a0 It was simply impossible to square the circle of a one-State reality with the legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians.\u00a0 Appealing to the international community to step up support, he also asked for concerted action by all parties, as the stability of the region depended on it and the human security, rights and dignity of 5\u00a0million Palestinian refugees were at stake.<\/p>\n NICKOLAY MLADENOV, Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, warned that tensions in the region were escalating as increased fighting in Syria endangered stability, de-escalation agreements and efforts towards a political solution.\u00a0 Despite the defeat of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL\/Da\u2019esh) in Iraq, much of the Middle East remained in the grips of a human tragedy of immense proportions.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Israelis and Palestinians were no closer to peace after more than a century of hostilities.\u00a0 \u201cThe enemies of peace are growing more confident by the day,\u201d he stressed, noting that the failure of moderation represented a win for the forces of radicalization.<\/p>\n In January, he said, the international community had discussed key priorities to advance peace at an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, established in 1993 as the principal policy-level coordination mechanism for development assistance to the Palestinian people. \u00a0There had been widespread, unequivocal support for the two-State solution as well as for the need to resume negotiations on all final status issues, including the status of Jerusalem.\u00a0 Participants had committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, he said, adding that his own message had been clear:\u00a0 The international community must reaffirm that sustainable peace required a two-State solution that could only be achieved through a negotiated solution.\u00a0 Efforts to implement concrete and transformative steps on the ground should continue, including ending Israeli settlement expansion and advancing policy shifts, particularly in Area C, consistent with a transition to greater Palestinian civil authority.<\/p>\n The Palestinian Authority must continue to advance institution-building and service delivery to the Palestinian people and bring Gaza back under its control, he continued.\u00a0 It was also critical that any future peace proposal focus on the two-State solution and all final status issues according to prior agreements and relevant Â鶹APP resolutions.\u00a0 Meanwhile, maintaining support for Palestine refugees was fundamental, he stressed, reiterating his concern over Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u2019s (UNRWA) sizeable funding shortfall and encouraging Member States to urgently consider providing the Agency with new funding to support the estimated 1.5\u00a0million highly vulnerable people in need.<\/p>\n Outlining recent developments on the ground \u2014 including the killing of seven Palestinians by Israeli security forces, the stabbing to death of one Israeli civilian by a Palestinian in the West Bank and the killing of four Palestinian children in clashes with security forces since the beginning of the year \u2014 he emphasized that the use of force must be calibrated and that lethal force should only be used as a last resort.\u00a0 Urging Israeli security forces to exercise maximum restraint in that regard, he called on all sides to reject violence, condemn terror, ensure accountability and work to reduce tensions.\u00a0 There had been dangerous security incidents in and around Gaza, including Israeli airstrikes and two rockets fired by Palestinian militants into Israel.\u00a0 The international community must join the Â鶹APP in calling on militants in Gaza to refrain from such provocative actions and to end the building of tunnels, which only risked the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians.<\/p>\n Noting that Israel had continued to advance its illegal settlement-related activities, including the demolition and seizure of Palestinian-owned structures, he said continued power cuts up to 20 hours per day severely undermined the delivery of basic services.\u00a0 As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalated, the implementation of the Egyptian-brokered intra-Palestinian agreement had stalled.\u00a0 Absent immediate steps forward, \u201cwe will face a total institutional and economic collapse in Gaza,\u201d he stressed, welcoming a proposal by the Palestinian Government to incorporate into its 2018 budget some 20,000 civil service employees in Gaza.<\/p>\n For a decade, 2\u00a0million people had lived under the full control of Hamas with crippling Israeli restrictions.\u00a0 \u201cIt is time to break this cycle,\u201d he said, calling for Gaza\u2019s return to Palestinian Authority control as \u201cthere can be no Palestinian State without Palestinian unity\u201d.\u00a0 Outlining additional security concerns in the Syrian Golan and Lebanon, he urged the international community to continue advocating for substantial Israeli policy changes related to the situation in the West Bank, including a halt to settlement construction.\u00a0 Negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians were not negotiations between equals, for one side \u2014 which remained under military occupation \u2014 had committed to a peaceful solution to the conflict through negotiations.<\/p>\n Statements<\/u><\/p>\n MAHMOUD ABBAS, President of the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, said 70 years after Palestine\u2019s\u00a0Nakba<\/em>, some 6\u00a0million Palestine refugees continued to suffer the cruelty of exile and loss of human security.\u00a0 They were part of the 13\u00a0million Palestinians whose country had not yet been recognized as a full Â鶹APP Member State, despite numerous resolutions reaffirming their rights to self-determination and statehood on their national land.\u00a0 \u201cOur great people remain rooted in their land,\u201d he stressed, recalling that numerous Palestinian institutions had existed both before and after the 1917 Balfour Declaration.\u00a0 \u201cThe British Government bears responsibility for the catastrophic consequences inflicted on the Palestinian people as a result,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Expressing support for the dismantling of arms of any kind \u2014 both nuclear and conventional \u2014 and for the fostering of a culture of peace and the combating of terrorism around the world \u2014 he recalled that Palestine had joined 83 security arrangements with States around the world.\u00a0 It had also engaged in many peace conferences over the years, having signed the Oslo Accords in 1993, and engaged in serious meetings with former United States Secretary of State John Kerry.\u00a0 However, Israel\u2019s intransigence had led to the failure of all those efforts. \u00a0\u201cAfter all of this, how can it be said that it is we who reject negotiations?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n Noting that Israel continued to violate numerous relevant resolutions of both the Council and the General Assembly, he said that country acted as if it were above the law, having transformed its occupation from a temporary situation as per international law into a situation of permanent settlement colonization and imposing a one-State reality of apartheid.\u00a0 During 2017, Palestine had met with United States President Donald Trump four times, expressing its readiness to reach a historic peace agreement.\u00a0 \u201cYet this Administration had not clarified its position,\u201d he said, asking:\u00a0 \u201cIs it for the two-State solution, or for one State?\u201d\u00a0 In a dangerous, unprecedented move, the United States had undertaken the unlawful decision \u2014 rejected by the international community \u2014 to take the issue of Jerusalem \u201coff the table\u201d, recognizing the city as Israel\u2019s capital and transferring its embassy there.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, he said, the United States continued to list the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) on its terror list, and since 1987 it imposed restrictions on the work of Palestine\u2019s Mission in Washington, D.C., under the pretext of Congressional decisions.\u00a0 The United States had contradicted itself and its own commitments and had violated international law as well as relevant resolutions related to Jerusalem.\u00a0 Calling for the establishment of a multilateral mechanism emanating from an international conference to help resolve the conflict with support from international partners, he pledged to intensify Palestine\u2019s efforts to achieve admission to full membership in the Â鶹APP and guarantee international protection for its people.<\/p>\n \u201cWe come here before your august Council in the midst of deadlock on the peace process due to the United States decision regarding Jerusalem, Israel\u2019s ongoing illegal settlement activities, its violation of the resolutions of the Council and its disrespect of signed agreements,\u201d he continued.\u00a0 In that context, he outlined a new proposal for a peace plan that addressed the core problems that had undermined such efforts for decades.\u00a0 First, he called for the convening of an international peace conference by mid-2018 with broad international participation, including by the Council\u2019s five permanent members and the international Quartet.\u00a0 That meeting\u2019s outcomes must include:\u00a0 Acceptance of the State of Palestine as a full member of the Â鶹APP and a guarantee of international protection for its people; mutual recognition between the State of Palestine and the State of Israel on the basis of the 1967 borders; and the formation of an international mechanism to assist in negotiations to resolve the permanent status issues as defined in the Oslo Accord \u2014 including that of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n A second element to his plan, he said, would require that all parties refrain from unilateral actions during the negotiation period, particularly those that would prejudice the outcome of a final solution.\u00a0 Foremost must be the cessation of settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and the suspension of the United States decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem.\u00a0 Third, the Arab Peace Initiative \u2014 as adopted and endorsed \u2014 must be implemented. \u00a0He also outlined a number of terms of reference for that implementation, which included the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Palestine and as an open city for the faithful of the three monotheistic religions.<\/p>\n Pledging Palestine\u2019s readiness to \u201cundertake the longest journeys\u201d to realize its people\u2019s rights, he nevertheless warned that they would not move one inch if it was asked to forsake those rights.\u00a0 Any agreement reached with Israel would be presented to the Palestinian people in the form of a general referendum, he said, adding that \u201cwe have presented our vision for peace\u201d.\u00a0 Expressing hope that the proposal would be received with both wisdom and justice, he concluded by asking the Council:\u00a0 \u201cIf justice for our people cannot be attained here, then where should we go?\u201d<\/p>\n DANNY BEN YOSEF DANON (Israel<\/u>) said he expected the Chairman of the Palestinian Authority to stay and have a dialogue, but unfortunately, he had exited the Council chamber, having put his demands on the table and expecting the Council to come up with results.\u00a0 The only way towards peace would be direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.\u00a0 The Chairman was inspiring \u201ca culture of hate within Palestinian society\u201d and had spent, in 2017, $345\u00a0million for terrorists to kill innocent Israelis \u2014 money that could have been spent to build schools and hospitals.\u00a0 The Chairman did not actually want to negotiate peace with Israel.\u00a0 Since the adoption of General Assembly resolution 181 in 1947, brave leaders had emerged in Egypt and Jordan who were willing to negotiate, compromise and sign peace agreements with Israel.\u00a0 However, the Palestinian leadership had continued to choose conflict over coexistence and, since taking office, Mr. Abbas had rejected peace plan after peace plan, he said.<\/p>\n The current United States Administration was working hard to make progress towards peace, but Mr. Abbas was once again looking hard for an excuse, claiming it was the United States announcement about Jerusalem that had led him to reject negotiations.\u00a0 Jerusalem would remain the undivided capital of Israel forever, he said, adding that his country would always insist on Israeli sovereignty over a united Jerusalem.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all these years of Abbas\u2019s rejectionism, one thing is very clear: when we extend a hand, Abbas extends a fist,\u201d he said.\u00a0 Only when the terrorists of Hamas extended a hand did Mr. Abbas embrace them with open arms.<\/p>\n Israel had no doubt that the day would come when the Palestinian people would be blessed with leadership that shared noble aspirations for peace, he said.\u00a0 That leadership would condemn terrorists and stop the shameful practice of paying terrorists.\u00a0 It would educate its people about tolerance rather than peddle in anti-Semitism, and it would recognize Israel as the national homeland of the Jewish people.\u00a0 \u201cIsrael eagerly awaits the day when this Palestinian leadership will emerge and will bring the hope of a better future for its people and our region,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n NIKKI HALEY (United States<\/u>) said the monthly session on the Middle East had, for many years, been focused on the Israeli-Palestinian situation.\u00a0 Welcoming efforts to broaden the discussion, she emphasized that the Â鶹APP was spending a disproportionate amount of funds on the issue when there were other pressing concerns in the region that needed more attention, including the situations in Syria and Yemen, terrorist attacks in Egypt and the regime in Iran.\u00a0 Both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian situation were suffering, yet Israel was a thriving country.\u00a0 The Palestinian people were suffering more, including those living under Hamas rule in Gaza, and in the West Bank, too many had died and too much potential had been lost.\u00a0 Expressing regret that President Mahmoud Abbas had left the Chamber before the discussion, she presented a snapshot of the new United States Administration\u2019s position.\u00a0 Noting that Security Council resolution 2334\u00a0(2016) was flawed, encouraging a false notion that Israel would be pushed into a deal by damaging its own interests, she said the United States had worked hard over the past year to address that damage.\u00a0 Still, the Administration recognized the suffering of the Palestinian people, she said, offering the \u201coutstretched hand of the United States\u201d to the Palestinian leadership towards a path of peace.\u00a0 Welcoming President Abbas\u2019 visit to the Council, she said that given recent comments on the current situation, she would \u201cnot shut up\u201d and would speak the truth.\u00a0 Taking a hateful path would lead to nothing but hardship for the Palestinian people, while a road towards negotiation would be beneficial.\u00a0 Recognizing the Palestinian Authority\u2019s regret over the United States decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, she said \u201cyou don\u2019t have to like it, but that position won\u2019t change\u201d, and emphasized that the choice at hand was between hate and resuming negotiation with a view to improving the lives of Palestinians.\u00a0 The United States was ready to work with the Palestinian leadership, but \u201cwe will not chase after you\u201d, she said.<\/p>\n VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation<\/u>) said severe situations in the region, such as Yemen, also included the Palestinian issue, which should not be pushed into the background at a time when developments had become more acute, negotiations had stalled and the question of Jerusalem had increased a sense of desperation.\u00a0 Of critical importance was supporting UNRWA to avoid a situation where the Palestinians felt as though they had nothing to lose.\u00a0 The Russian Federation, providing assistance to the Agency and through bilateral initiatives, had aimed its efforts towards renewing direct negotiations between both parties.\u00a0 The Middle East Quartet retained its unique format and could, with the work of the League of Arab States, play an integral role in dislodging the impasse.\u00a0 The Russian Federation also advocated related work towards that end, including efforts by Egypt and Jordan.\u00a0 New developments in the conflict required the international community\u2019s action.\u00a0 In the past two weeks, his country had hosted visits by stakeholders, he said, underscoring the need for pooled efforts that would be constructive and that would leave behind insulting rhetoric.\u00a0 On the agenda now was the Russian Federation\u2019s proposal, which addressed trust and security issues of the entire region.<\/p>\n FRAN\u00c7OIS DELATTRE (France<\/u>) said the conflict was not \u201cjust another crisis\u201d.\u00a0 As peace continued to lose ground regarding the oldest conflict in the region, all efforts must be made to de-escalate tensions in Gaza, which represented an integral part of Palestinian territory.\u00a0 There was no viable peace with Israel without Gaza.\u00a0 More broadly, the conflict must be addressed through negotiations based on internationally agreed parameters, including respect for pre-1967 borders and putting an end to Israeli settlement construction.\u00a0 Moreover, the status of Jerusalem could only be determined by both parties and the issue of refugee camps must be addressed.\u00a0 France supported efforts to resume negotiations, he said, noting the United States engagement in that regard, which should follow internationally agreed parameters, and welcoming President Abbas\u2019 proposals.\u00a0 The only option was a two-State solution, he said, underlining the urgency of providing a political horizon that would restore hope to Israelis and Palestinians and the possibility of resuming negotiations.<\/p>\n OLOF SKOOG (Sweden<\/u>) said efforts towards the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict required an acknowledgment that its fundamental root cause was the Israeli occupation.\u00a0 Sweden remained fully committed to the two-State solution based on international law, known parameters and relevant Council resolutions, including resolution\u00a02334\u00a0(2016).\u00a0 Calling on the parties to avoid any action that prejudged the final status issues, he said \u201cthat includes Jerusalem and refugees\u201d, and underlined the Council\u2019s duty to uphold its resolutions on the city\u2019s special status. \u00a0Sweden had recognized the State of Palestine in 2014 and fully supported its State-building progress.\u00a0 Efforts towards the re-establishment of Palestinian Authority control in Gaza and intra-Palestinian reconciliation were also crucial, as was continued support for UNRWA.\u00a0 Voicing concern over a significant reduction in that Agency\u2019s funding, which must be urgently and sustainably resolved, he said Sweden had already contributed $59\u00a0million to it in 2018 and urged other countries to step up their own contributions.\u00a0 Further, Sweden \u2014 together with Jordan, Egypt, UNRWA and the Secretary-General \u2014 had decided to co-host a ministerial conference this spring on the Agency\u2019s pressing financial situation.<\/p>\n SACHA SERGIO LLORENTTY SOL\u00cdZ (Bolivia<\/u>) said Israel\u2019s expansionist policies violated international law and continued to suffocate Palestinians \u201cday in and day out\u201d.\u00a0 The parties did not enjoy an equal footing, as one was the occupying Power and the other was a colonized people.\u00a0 Israel had built a wall in contravention of international law, forcibly evicted civilians from their homes, committed human rights violations and was presumed to have committed war crimes.\u00a0 Meanwhile, it continued its blockade against Gaza with devastating repercussions.\u00a0 The situation was all the more alarming at a time when UNRWA was caught up in a financial crisis that threatened its critical work, and when its resources had been cut in a \u201cblatant move to politicize the safety and security of millions of Palestinian refugees\u201d.\u00a0 Drawing attention to the critical situations of several individual Palestinian civilians \u2014 including that of the 17-year-old girl Ahed Tamimi \u2014 he said Israel was the only country of the world that tried children in military courts.\u00a0 Only a two-State solution that included the recognition of East Jerusalem as the capital of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine could ensure a long-term peace, he stressed, also reiterating Bolivia\u2019s condemnation of the United States decision to move its embassy to that city and to recognize it as the capital of Israel.<\/p>\n MUKHTAR TLEUBERDI (Kazakhstan<\/u>) urged the parties concerned in the peace process to maintain the historical status quo of Jerusalem, in accordance with previously reached international agreements. \u00a0Any attempts to artificially modify that status might aggravate an already difficult situation. \u00a0He endorsed the statement of the Secretary-General that the final status of Jerusalem must be resolved in line with relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. \u00a0At the same time, the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and Israeli sides should be taken into account. \u00a0He noted the difficult humanitarian crisis in Gaza, underscoring that nearly 2\u00a0million Palestinian residents, half of whom were children, received electricity for no more than eight hours each day. \u00a0He also echoed the Special Coordinator\u2019s concern about UNRWA\u2019s funding. \u00a0A significant reduction of its regular budget had increased the anxieties of the 5.3\u00a0million refugees already suffering from a protracted crisis, he stressed.<\/p>\n JONATHAN GUY ALLEN (United Kingdom<\/u>) said that his country remained committed to a two-State solution that would put an end to the conflict. \u00a0The leadership of the United States was essential for that process to take place, and its efforts offered a significant opportunity to deliver peace. \u00a0His Government stood ready to provide support to help achieve a viable agreement. \u00a0The parties involved should move forward and reaffirm their commitment to all previous diplomatic agreements that had taken them closer to peace. \u00a0He welcomed the Palestinian Authority\u2019s continued recognition of the State of Israel. \u00a0If a peace process was to succeed, it needed to be conducted in an atmosphere free from violence, and every Israeli and Palestinian had the right to live in peace and security, as well as a right to dignity. \u00a0He condemned kidnapping and acts that did not allow people to properly grieve their loved ones, and noted that only when both parties rejected violence could peace have a chance to flourish. \u00a0He also expressed his concern about the Israeli Government\u2019s decision to establish a settlement deep in the West Bank.<\/p>\n ANATOLIO NDONG MBA (Equatorial Guinea<\/u>) said his country was committed to peace in the entire Middle East region, in particular to stabilizing the situation between Israel and Palestine. \u00a0He deplored the most recent violence between the two parties and appealed to both sides to moderate and reign in their behaviour, as well as to refrain from any acts that might enflame an already thorny situation. They should spare no effort to seek to stabilize and normalize the situation, to relieve the suffering of the people. \u00a0His Government backed the two-State solution. \u00a0It was possible that the two-State solution would entail painful concessions for both parties, but hard choices should be made where necessary. \u00a0The historic claims of the Palestinians were just and fair, and the right of Israel to live in peace and security must also be taken into account. \u00a0Both parties must refrain from taking unilateral actions that would hinder dialogue, he said.<\/p>\n JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland<\/u>) noted with concern the increase in incidents along the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip.\u00a0 That included rockets fired from the Strip and Israeli retaliatory measures, as well as growing tensions over the latter\u2019s northern border. \u00a0She recognized Israel\u2019s right to defend itself and ensure the security of its citizens. \u00a0At the same time, she urged all parties to exercise restraint to avoid further hostilities that would put large groups of the population at risk. \u00a0She was also deeply concerned about the deteriorating financial situation of UNRWA, noting the effects of reducing support could bring serious security and humanitarian consequences. \u00a0An end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be sought by reviving the peace process. \u00a0Poland supported a two-State solution under which national aspirations of both parties to the conflict would be met, including the Palestinian right to self-determination and independence as well as Israel\u2019s right to ensure its security.<\/p>\n WU HAITAO (China<\/u>) said the long-standing question of Palestine affected the region and only a two-State solution could resolve that.\u00a0 Among other things, Council resolution 2334 (2016) must be implemented, with Israel ceasing all settlement activity and acting to prevent further violence against civilians.\u00a0 Both parties must implement relevant resolutions and take actions that would lead to the resumption of talks.\u00a0 Shared comprehensive and cooperative security must be part of such efforts, as should development-related initiatives.\u00a0 China supported a political settlement of the question of Palestine, he said, emphasizing that all parties must uphold justice and strive for peaceful co-existence to reach a solution that accommodated their interests.\u00a0 China would continue to provide assistance to UNRWA, he said, calling on all countries to contribute to the Agency to help the Palestinian people.<\/p>\n BERNARD TANOH-BOUTCHOUE (C<\/u>\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/u>) said the current alarming situation required both parties to play their role, rejecting negative unilateral initiatives and working towards a two-State solution, which was the only viable alternative.\u00a0 The status of Jerusalem must be negotiated between both parties, based on Â鶹APP resolutions on the matter.\u00a0 The consequences of the conflict were disastrous for those living in Gaza, which was experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with 47\u00a0per\u00a0cent youth unemployment alongside water and electricity shortages.\u00a0 Calling for re-opening negotiations, he encourages all Palestinian parties to engage in dialogue on the return of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza to address humanitarian concerns.<\/p>\n GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru<\/u>) said the unwillingness to budge from entrenched position had helped to grind to a halt the peace process.\u00a0 Efforts must aim at reviving negotiations with a view to implementing a two-State solution.\u00a0 Action and words must aim at building mutual trust and dialogue and leaders on both sides must commit to the process.\u00a0 In addition, resolution 2334 (2016) must be implemented to halt Israeli settlement building, Israeli soldiers must leave and the human rights of Palestinians must be respected.\u00a0 On both sides, all forms of discrimination must be rejected.\u00a0 Underlining the urgency of meeting the needs of civilians in Gaza, he reiterated Peru\u2019s support for UNRWA, whose funding should be stable and predictable.<\/p>\n KAREL JAN GUSTAAF VAN OOSTEROM (Netherlands<\/u>), reiterating his country\u2019s support for the two-State solution and its opposition to Israel\u2019s settlement policy, said the current lack of confidence between the parties was creating a dangerous vacuum.\u00a0 \u201cWorldwide examples of resolved conflicts show [that] negotiations don\u2019t start with trust; they start with courage,\u201d he said.\u00a0 The international community could help the parties find a way back to the negotiation table, he said, adding that cooperation between the Quartet partners and regional players was crucial.\u00a0 Emphasizing that the crisis in Gaza was growing rapidly, he said Council members had a collective responsibility to ensure that UNRWA could execute its mandate.\u00a0 All stakeholders must put the needs of the population at the forefront of future decisions regarding Gaza, he said, calling also on the Palestinian Authority to proceed on the path of intra-Palestinian reconciliation.<\/p>\n TEKEDA ALEMU (Ethiopia<\/u>), expressing deep concern over the situation in Gaza, said progress towards full Palestinian Authority control over that territory would not only help to improve the economic and humanitarian situation, but also advance Palestinian unity.\u00a0 That in turn could give impetus to the dormant peace process.\u00a0 He reiterated his country\u2019s support for the two-State goal, adding, however, that recent moves and actions might not contribute towards progress in that regard.\u00a0 Removing longstanding obstacles would be in the best interests of the two parties and the international community.\u00a0 He said it was incumbent on the Security Council to support greater efforts towards a comprehensive, lasting and just solution, adding that at the end of the day, responsibility for making progress fell on the two parties.<\/p>\n MANSOUR AYYAD SH. A. ALOTAIBI (Kuwait<\/u>), Council President for February, spoke in his national capacity, noting that he was honoured by the participation of the President of Palestine in the meeting. \u00a0It was a valuable opportunity that allowed everyone to listen to the owner of the just cause of Palestine. \u00a0Prior to holding non-permanent Council membership, Kuwait had pledged to make every effort to support the Palestinian cause as one of the pillars of its foreign policy. \u00a0Kuwait remained firm in its commitments towards the Palestinian people to establish an independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital. \u00a0Israel, as the occupying Power, had put obstacles in the way of peace in the Middle East. \u00a0All Member States should abide by Security Council resolutions, he said. \u00a0The occupation continued to violate international law. \u00a0The Middle East peace process had witnessed many milestones. \u00a0However, the failure to commit to resolutions had exacerbated the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people. \u00a0The repercussions of the recent decision on Jerusalem were jeopardizing the peace process. \u00a0He called upon the United States, as it played an important role in the process, to compel Israel to end its occupation of all Arab and Palestinian territories, in accordance with the relevant resolutions, the principle of land for peace and the Arab Peace Initiative.<\/p>\n For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SECURITY COUNCIL 8813TH MEETING (AM) SC\/13213 20 FEBRUARY 2018 fran\u00e7ais video United States Position on Moving Embassy to Jerusalem \u2018Won\u2019t Change\u2019, Permanent Representative Stresses Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, briefing the Security Council this morning, outlined a new proposal to relaunch peace talks with Israel \u2014 including the rapid convening of an international summit on the […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[1593],"document-category":[2433,1329,2805,4389],"document-source":[5352,1362,4798,1897,1877],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1945,4317,1741,1961,1749,2577,1797,1905,1745,2137,2741],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-128597","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","country-palestine-state-of","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-category-video","document-category-webcast","document-source-secretary-general","document-source-security-council","document-source-state","document-source-united-nations-department-of-public-information-dpi","document-source-united-nations-special-coordinator-for-the-middle-east-peace-process-unsco","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-governance","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-jerusalem","document-subject-palestine-question","document-subject-peace-conference","document-subject-peace-process","document-subject-peace-proposals-and-efforts","document-subject-refugees-and-displaced-persons","document-subject-settlements","document-subject-statehood-related","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/128597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/128597\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=128597"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=128597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}United States Position on Moving Embassy to Jerusalem \u2018Won\u2019t Change\u2019, Permanent Representative Stresses<\/h4>\n